Cam-Locking Electrical Connector for Secure Docking Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrical connectors lack a bolt-lock function, leading to unreliable connections due to susceptibility to external forces and accidental disconnection.
Innovation Solution
An electrical connector design featuring an insulating body, terminals, an elastic element with snap hooks, and a camshaft mechanism that secures the connector to a docking connector through rotating shaft-driven cam portions, allowing for locking and unlocking by rotating the shaft.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the electrical connector uses a conventional design without bolt-lock function, then the structure is simple, but the connecting reliability is poor due to susceptibility to external forces and accidental disconnection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by implementing a rotatable camshaft mechanism that transforms the static connector structure into a dynamic locking system. The camshaft can rotate between locked and unlocked positions, enabling the connector to adapt its state based on operational requirements. This dynamic mechanism significantly improves connecting reliability by providing active locking capability while maintaining reasonable structural complexity through efficient use of moving parts.
2Reliability
If the electrical connector adds a bolt-lock function with camshaft and elastic elements, then the connecting reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into integrated components. The camshaft combines the locking actuation, elastic element actuation, and snap hook control into a single rotating mechanism. The elastic element serves dual purposes: providing the locking force and controlling the snap hook engagement. This merging approach improves reliability through robust locking while minimizing the increase in device complexity by reducing the number of separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies nesting by placing the elastic element inside the insulating body, with its tail portion extending to contact the camshaft. The snap hooks are nested within the shell structure, engaging through openings. This nested arrangement consolidates multiple components into a compact integrated assembly, improving reliability through secure component positioning while avoiding excessive increase in overall device complexity.
3Strength
If the electrical connector uses a conventional design without locking mechanism, then the assembly is simple, but the connector is apt to be disconnected by external forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-positioning the elastic element within the insulating body with its snap hooks ready for engagement. The elastic element is pre-loaded to provide immediate locking force upon connection. The camshaft is positioned to enable quick transition to the locked state. This preliminary preparation ensures strong connection resistance to external forces while maintaining relatively simple structure through efficient pre-arranged component positioning.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design significantly enhances the connecting reliability of the electrical connector by ensuring secure engagement with the docking connector, resisting external forces and improving assembly efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The elastic element has a body portion, at least one elastic arm slantwise extended frontward and outward, and then extended frontward from one end of the body portion
Implementation Method 2
The camshaft has a rotating shaft and a cam portion. The cam portion is arranged corresponding to the tail portion of the elastic element. When the rotating shaft rotates, the cam portion pushes the tail portion to twist the at least one extension arm
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector includes an insulating body, a plurality of terminals fastened in the insulating body, an elastic element mounted to a surface of the insulating body, a camshaft and a shell. The elastic element has a body portion, at least one elastic arm slantwise extended frontward and outward, and then extended frontward from one end of the body portion, at least one extension arm slantwise extended outward and rearward from at least one side of the body portion, and a tail portion slantwise extended upward and rearward from the other end of the body portion. The camshaft is arranged at a rear end of the insulating body. The camshaft has a rotating shaft and a cam portion. The cam portion is arranged corresponding to the tail portion. The shell surrounds the insulating body, the plurality of the terminals, the elastic element and the camshaft.